Deep in the Woods

They always say, "the further you go alone down the path, the more you can't see in the darkness."

So, you venture on, and you realize that you may become blinded by the darkness. It's a known fact that without some form of light, from a reliable source besides the sun, you will be like a blind man and stumble, falling.

Your eyes play tricks on you; you see less and have to depend on your other senses to get you through to safety. But what if, this a big what if, you lose your way and you lose your sense of direction, becoming lost in a world crossed between reality and fantasy, between fact and fiction. You cross over to the other side.

In this new world you lose your way and are trapped in this world for all eternity. You never know what it holds and never feel safe. You are caught up in the mysteries and hallucinations that disguise themselves as real. You are not sure what to believe.

Like being stranded on an island, you are left to your on devises, left to fend for yourself. The gateway outside has shut off all sense of escape. You will soon find out that you no longer know what is and what was, only to know that what will be coming into your perceptions of your world presently.

You see less light and more like being in a tunnel that's endless. It goes on forever, seems like there is no beginning and no end to the twist and turns, like a maze. You see things that make it seem homey and very comforting, then when the night comes it only shows how eerie it can be. You are alone in the world of trees and darkness. You beg and pray for the dawn and what little sunlight you can find.

The forest stands taller than you, is like playground bullies who tower over you wanting to bully and make your life a miserable hell. You are afraid of every sound, not knowing what is hiding around each trunk of the trees in the forest. Not knowing what sounds are friendly and what appear to be are not.

The hissing and the screeching, the screams and mating calls, the predators that prey on you like you have invaded their home, and you feel left out for you do not belong there. You sulk down and know that you must use your training that you watched and tried to absorb all the information about being trapped in a forest.

Your mind goes blank as though the memories are erased. You see many new things that may become your means of survival. You seek to find shelter and find none. You are at a loss for what is a priority and what is less than. You pull out your phone, to use the internet and search sites, but without working service, you are in the dark, literally.

The sunlight is only visible for less time than outside the forest. You are not certain about when the seasons change or how much light you have to use. Your skills as an expert are lacking and you feel your way down what you believe is a path towards, what, another path.

You are unsure where to go and how to get there. The sounds come at you all at once. They are louder then softer. The wind blows through the trees, rustling up leaves and sending chills through your short-sleeved shirt, while you pull your arms inside your shirt, just to stay warm.

You listen to the sounds of water. You hear only the noises made by the ones who actually live here and are annoyed by your presence. You are needing to remember something that will keep you alive, that will save you from starvation and sure death.

Your eyes widen. You are looking at a large bear, who at first does not notice you. It raises its head and sniffs the air finally looking in your direction letting out a blood curling roar. You freeze up and your feet refuse to move, even as your brain senses the fear of your end.

Then another sight appears off to the left. It is several deer, looks like a few Bucks and several Does. They are minding their own business while looking for berries to eat. The idea strikes you on the head, not literally of course. You need to find berries to eat, that are not poisonous and won't make you sick if you eat too many.

The light that is showing through the overgrown trees, that seemed to notice your fear and your confusion, have made your life worse by weaving themselves together, making the little light you had less available. You are not sure what to make of this. Nature is playing tricks on you and has the upper hand, like a poker player with its game face showing.

You hear a hissing sound near where you stand, when a snake or snakes are close and you are not sure what to do. You are reaching out for berries and then retracting your hand in fear when you hear the low hissing noises.

Your head turns towards a chucking sound and your notice some beavers and otters, sounding like they are laughing at your misery and discomfort. You pick up and proceed to throw some dead wood at them to discourage scare them away. "That was of no use, to either me or them." You are becoming more frightened at the idea of all the things you hear and the sounds you are not aware of. Boot camp never prepared you for this.

The forest has its solitude and silence. It can offer you much and yet subtract from the things you see in a city, yet you never really feel as though you are accepted. You live by wits, and you live defensively. You are ready but never truly ready for the unknown.

You are heading off in the blind sight and you start to run. You need to wake up from this if it is a dream. The reality you know, will allow you to be safe in your bed, in your apartment, leaving much to figure out from your dream.

You are not sure what to make of this forest, whether enchanted or real. You lay your head down, not on a soft pillow but a pile of leaves and grass. You are not aware of the trees peering in on you ready to fall and pounce on your sleeping body.

Then the crash awakens you and you are too late to get up.